Earth System Grid Federation

The Earth System Grid Federation is an open-source distributed data and computation platform for worldwide scientific collaboration.

esgf.github.io/index.html
Earth System Grid Federation homepage screenshot

About Earth System Grid Federation

The Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) is a distributed data and computation platform built for worldwide scientific collaboration in Earth system science. It develops, deploys, and maintains infrastructure to manage, disseminate, and analyze large-scale climate model output, observational data, and reanalysis products, with core support for CMIP6 activities and future assessment preparations.

As of November 2023, ESGF deprecated its esgf-ansible installation playbooks, with a six-month transition period ending May 2024. After that date, security patches are only provided for esgf-docker installations, not for older esgf-ansible deployments.

Key features

  • Distributed peer-to-peer archive for large-scale climate and observational data
  • Supports management, dissemination, and analysis of climate and observational datasets
  • Enables CMIP6 activity support and future assessment preparation
  • Interoperates with complementary tools like ESIP and IS-INES software
  • Provides esgf-docker deployment for new node installations
Best for: Climate researchers, Earth system scientists, and institutions participating in international climate model intercomparison projects such as CMIP6 benefit most from ESGF.
Good for
  • Distributed architecture enables global access to peta/exa-scale scientific data
  • Interagency and international collaboration ensures broad stakeholder engagement
  • Supports integration of observational and reanalysis data for CMIP6 use cases
Watch out for
  • esgf-ansible installation playbooks were officially deprecated in November 2023
  • No security patches or support are provided for esgf-ansible installations after May 2024
  • Only esgf-docker installations receive ongoing security updates and patching

Earth System Grid Federation at a glance

Type
Website
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Web
Open source
Not stated
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026

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Earth System Grid Federation FAQ

What primary functions does the ESGF platform serve?
ESGF develops and maintains infrastructure to manage, disseminate, and analyze large-scale climate model, observational, and reanalysis data for Earth system science research.
What installation methods are supported for ESGF nodes?
As of 2023, only esgf-docker installations receive ongoing support and security patches; esgf-ansible playbooks are no longer supported after May 2024.
Does ESGF support international climate research collaboration?
Yes, ESGF is an interagency and international effort led by global climate and computing laboratories to foster cross-boundary collaboration.
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